Don't judge a recipe by its looks…

Kerstin’s blog, Cake, Batter, and Bowl, is one of my favorites. Her recipes always look fabulous…and healthy! Easy on the budget, too, as she provides the cost per serving for every recipe. What a saint, huh!?

When I saw this recipe, I knew I had to make these muffins. Especially since berries are slowly creeping up in price and starting to lose their prime-season sweetness and quality. I will forewarn that these muffins take a bit of time to concoct, but the result is well worth the wait. My father-in-law loved these muffins and gave them a definite 5-star rating. Everyone else enjoyed them, too…especially warm 🙂

Preheat oven to 350˚F. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with cups. Place 2 cups strawberries and 1 cup blueberries in a food processor and pulse until smooth. Place berry puree in a small nonstick pan and cook over medium heat for 20 to 25 minutes or until reduced to 1/2 cup, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.

Result: Mmmmm mmmm good! These muffins provide at least 1/2 serving of fruit, and I think that is just awesome! I love the fiber content and low calories and sodium for muffins, too.

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Thank you for all the chili recipes for the Prevention Chili Contest! I’m sorry I couldn’t accept more than 12 recipes — we would’ve been eating chili through Easter if I didn’t put a cap on the entries!! 🙁 I really appreciate all of the participation and look forward to a fall season of football and chili! 😀

Question: Do you think weight loss surgery should be covered by insurance? Do you think a portion of the cost should be covered? If so, what percentage?

A co-worker asked me this question yesterday and having working in bariatrics, I’ve seen the good and the bad outcomes of bariatric surgery, and most of it depends on the readiness for change on the part of the patient, as well as their support system in and out of the health care setting. I do think it’s appropriate for insurance companies to set up guidelines for weight loss surgery candidates (e.g. BMI > 50) to help offset future health care costs of chronic diseases, such as diabetes, a very costly disease. But I can’t decide if I consider bariatrics “prevenative” or “reactive” health care — I can see arguments both ways. Just curious as to everyone’s thoughts!

Comments

Those muffins look delicious!
I really don’t feel like I can judge about the surgery. I tend to be pretty tough and to me, people just don’t want to do the hard work. I know at times there are other circumstances, but the majority I’ve come across is people looking for an easy way out. That is mean, I know…

Lovely muffins! I hope your new job is going well and that you are settling into Ohio nicely.

I don’t know enough about the surgery to really give my opinion because I think it completely depends on the person. I don’t think it should be covered for someone who is lazy and cannot stick to a regimented healthy living routine, so they try to take the ‘easy’ way out – only to gain the weight back again.

Great looking muffins! Well, actually they look like chocolate fruit cake….BUT I bet they were delicious anyway (by the title of your blog that’s what I am assuming 😉 I gotta get me some of that whole what pasty flour!!

So I don’t know how I feel about bariatric surgery being covered by insurance. In my opinion it will just give people an excuse to add another 20 pounds on their already overweight frame, JUST so they can get the surgery! Hell, I would probably do that if I was in that situation. I can just see people doing that, really. If something is free and it’s touted as the “Easy way out” people will do what they can to get it.

I have a very strong opinion about the surgery. I use to work as an RD for a Bariatric Program. Having worked with this population, a lot of patients saw the surgery as a way out. Even though they were told that it involved a lifestyle change… majority didn’t really grasp it. There was also the frequent flyers… patients who were on their third surgery cause they kept gaining the weight back.

They really need to accept the fact that they must make a lifestyle change.

I sure will miss those summer berries when they are out of season. I think the muffins look great.

I don’t really know enough about the surgery to give an educated opinion, but from what I do know, I would only want to see it as an option for someone who is in counseling for a good amount of time in order to deal with whatever issues led to the obesity. I’m just not sure that the surgery would fix the problem if there are other more psychological problems that need to be addressed first.

I’m torn on the weight loss surgery/insurance question too. Like you, I can see both sides of the argument, and it seems to depend so heavily on the particular person and his/her situation/environment. I’m going to keep thinking about this one…thanks for getting my wheels turning!

I think it should be covered, but there need to be parameters and things met before approving, but after it is approved, then all things related should be covered, including plastic surgery for excess skin removal. In the long run, if it eliminates medical costs for years down the road, it is a cost saving procedure, but at the same time, not everyone is appropriate.

I do believe that the candidate needs to show a history of attempting to manage weight without success, that they do not have any issues psychologically (more than any of the rest of us at least), they need to show diet compliance, and show that medically they can care for themselves. I also think a waiting period is appropriate after initial assessment until the surgery is approved, and in that time have the patient show compliance with any diet and medication regimens presented by the team. If they can’t do it now, what makes us think they will do it post op. Of course, the rules for obesity and comorbidities should apply.

Someone who has never been overweight, then has a baby and can’t lose the weight should not be a candidate. Or someone who has never struggled with weight and finds that over the last 5 or so years they are 10# overweight and just bordering on an overweight BMI, that person needs to try conventional methods first, as surgery is not the first place to start. Those are just my opinions, and yes, I have worked with bariatric patients before.

Like most of the commenters, I also have mixed feelings on surgery being covered by insurance. I think it’s easy for people to say, “Oh, that’s just for people who are just too lazy,” but NOT for everyone. My mom has struggled her WHOLE life with her weight. Now (as I think I’ve told you) she is diabetic and taking 19 pills a day (for various things). She’s considered doing lapband, and honestly at this point, I will stand behind whatever it is that keeps her here longer.

Oh, I will say…if they do choose to cover it through insurance, I think it would only be fair that the patient prove/document they have tried to lose weight before. Not just by joining a gym or Weight Watchers, but maybe by working with a dietitian/personal trainer, as well.

Summer berries in muffins … mmm 🙂 What a great way to enjoy them before berry season is over!

That’s great news about the insulin inhalers and sprays for DM, for kids especially! As for the insurance coverage for weight loss surgeries … eh … I’m not sure how I feel. As someone who has not worked with bariatric patients yet, I feel I’m not really qualified to give an informed opinion. I can only go with my gut reaction, which is that coverage CAN be good, but in many cases unnecessary. I feel there is an alarming rise in bariatric surgeries, especially among teenagers. I have heard too many stories from RDs about patients who have received the surgery and reached their previous weight within a few years. Perhaps with required counseling and follow-ups, and in cases of extreme obesity, insurance coverage is feasible. I’m interested to see how this turns out!

I don’t know how I feel about insurance covering the surgery. I feel like maybe for some it would give them a chance at a healthier life, that they wouldn’t have otherwise. But at the same time, if they haven’t learned how to take care of themselves before what will change after. I think there are different situations and it’s hard to make a blanket statement.